Week 4 of the college football season is here, and we're coming off a hot week against the spread.

This week's biggest challenges are the top 25 matchups between No. 22 Texas A&M and No. 1 Alabama and the primetime matchup between No. 7 Stanford and No. 20 Oregon. Those are the biggest pieces in the College Football Playoff heading into the week. With that in mind, Sporting News has picks against the spread for all the Top 25 games.

Here is a look at our record so far: Straight up: 53-9, .854 (15-4 last week) Against the spread: 29-20, .592 (11-6 last week)

Here are our picks against the spread for Week 4 (odds reflect consensus picks from VegasINsiders.com as of Sept. 18):

Friday, Sept. 21

FAU at No. 16 UCF (-13.5)8 p.m., ESPN This might be the most entertaining game of the weekend. FAU can score, and Devin Singletary already has seven touchdown runs this season. The Knights might need a quarter to shake off some rust, but McKenzie Milton will lead a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that seals the victory. UCF wins 42-34 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.

No. 10 Penn State (-28) at Illinois9 p.m., Fox Sports 1 Illinois has improved under third-year coach Lovie Smith, and the Friday primetime spotlight is a unique opportunity. Penn State, however, uses that stage to get Ohio State's attention with an offense that's blossoming around star quarterback Trace McSorley. It plays out right on the line. Penn State wins 42-16 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.

Saturday, Sept. 22

No. 2 Georgia (-14.5) at MissouriNoon, ESPN

Big spot for the Tigers. Drew Lock ranks second among Power 5 quarterbacks with 11 passing touchdowns, and the high-powered offense can put up points. The Bulldogs are 5-1 in this series since Mizzou joined the SEC, and they rolled up 696 yards of offense in this game last season. It might take a half, but the Bulldogs pull away. Georgia wins 41-20 and COVERS the spread.

No. 8 Notre Dame (-7.5) at Wake ForestNoon, ABC The Irish haven't exactly dominated their last two opponents, and that will give the Demon Deacons confidence, at least, that they can pull the upset at home. If Brandon Wimbush can't have success in the air against a pass defense that allows 310.7 yards per game, however, then the Irish might get into some trouble. Notre Dame wins 33-19 and COVERS the spread.

Nebraska at No. 19 Michigan (-18.5)Noon, FS1 Both teams might be missing playmakers. Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (knee) is questionable. Michigan running backs Karan Higdon and Chris Evans are “day-to-day.” We're a long from 1997 with these two teams, but the Wolverines get this one. Michigan wins 27-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.

No. 23 Boston College (-6.5) at PurdueNoon, ESPN2 The Eagles are in the position Purdue was hoping to be in at this point in the season. AJ Dillon averages 7.3 yards per carry, and BC ranks sixth in the FBS with 52.7 points per game. Purdue allows 30.3 points per game, but they've lost three games by seven points. It's another shootout, and this time the Boilermakers get one in the “W” column. Purdue wins 41-38 in an UPSET.

No. 22 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama (-27)3:30 p.m., CBS Given the way Alabama has scorched opponents the first three weeks, it might seem like a reach to pick somebody to cover against that offensive machine. The Aggies, however, also are 3-0 against the spread and have the lost the last three meetings by an average of 15 points per game. Alabama wins 38-14 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.

No. 3 Clemson (-17) at Georgia Tech3:30 p.m., ABC The Tigers should be prepared for the option attack, given they've seen Furman and Georgia Southern already this season. The Yellow Jackets have their backs against the wall after back-to-back losses to South Florida and Pitt, but Clemson is a legit road warrior now. Expect more of the same. Clemson wins 42-20 and COVERS the spread.

Tulane at No. 4 Ohio State (-35.5)3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network Urban Meyer's should provide a jolt for the Buckeyes at home, and Tulane is the last tune-up before the showdown at Penn State. Senior quarterback Jonathan Banks has protected the ball for the Green Wave through three weeks and Nick Bosa (groin) won't play, but that won't matter. Ohio State wins 52-14 and COVERS the spread.

No. 13 Virginia Tech (-27.5) at Old Dominion3:30 p.m. CBS Sports Network The Monarchs will play with nothing to lose given their 0-3 start, but that probably won't matter. Virginia Tech had an extra week off due to Hurricane Florence, and ODU is tied for 109th in scoring defense. Look for the Hokies' to put up big numbers on the ground. Virginia Tech wins 48-10 and COVERS the spread.

Kansas State at No. 12 West Virginia (-16)3:30 p.m., ESPN The Wildcats have split the last two meetings in Morgantown — games that were decided by a total of seven points. West Virginia had an extra week to prepare, however, and Will Grier will be ready. Watch the third quarter, where the Mountaineers average 20.5 points. West Virginia wins 45-23 and COVERS the spread.

FIU at No. 21 Miami (-26.5)3:30 p.m., ESPN2 Butch Davis gets a crack at his former team, and the Golden Panthers average 39.7 points per game. Miami bounced back after the season-opening loss to LSU, and the Hurricanes' rushing attack will pile up the yards here. We like FIU with the back-door cover. Miami wins 48-23 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.

No. 17 TCU (-3) at Texas 4:30 p.m., FOX There's temptation to take Texas here knowing the Longhorns are coming off a season-saving win against USC, coupled with a potential TCU hangover from the Ohio State loss. The Horned Frogs, however, have the more dynamic quarterback in Shawn Robinson. TCU also is the only Big 12 team that beat the Longhorns by double digits last season. TCU wins 34-24 and COVERS the spread.

McNeese at No. 25 BYU (No line)6 p.m., BYTV BYU is ranked on the strength of their upset against Wisconsin, and this will be the first chance to pour on the points after a brutal slate to start the season, which included Arizona, Cal and the Badgers. There's a small risk for an emotional letdown, but the Cougars can handle success. BYU wins 44-14 with no spread.

Army at No. 5 Oklahoma (-31.5)7 p.m., ppv Army piles up the rushing yards — they average 306.7 yards per game. That will test the Sooners' patience on defense if the Black Knights can hang around in the first half. Kyler Murray, however, is a problem they won't be able to solve. We still like the cover here. Oklahoma wins 40-10 and FAILS TO COVER the spread.

Louisiana Tech at No. 6 LSU (-20.5)7 p.m., TBD Louisiana Tech is 2-0 under Skip Holtz and had an extra week to prepare for an LSU team coming off an emotional victory at Auburn. Tailback Jaquis Dancy averages 10.6 yards per carry with four touchdowns on the season. That said, the Tigers pull away in the second half. LSU wins 38-20 and FAILS TO COVER the spread.

No. 14 Mississippi State (-10) at Kentucky7 p.m., ESPN2 This is an opportunity for Kentucky to go to 4-0, and the two-pronged rushing attack of running back Benny Snell and quarterback Terry Wilson can help the Wildcats control the clock. The Bulldogs can do the same with Nick Fitzgerald and Kylin Hill. This has the potential to be the most exciting game of the weekend as a result. Perhaps Mississippi State gets caught looking ahead to Florida? Kentucky wins 37-34 in an UPSET.

Texas Tech at No. 15 Oklahoma State (-13)7 p.m., FS1 Oklahoma State is climbing up the polls, and with good reason after a beatdown of formerly ranked Boise State. The Cowboys have won the last nine meetings against the Red Raiders, and as you can imagine, most those games have been shootouts. The Red Raiders allow 32 points per game. Oklahoma State wins 55-38 and COVERS the spread.

No. 24 Michigan State (-4.5) at Indiana7:30 p.m., BTN It's tempting to take Indiana here given the Hoosiers' hot start, coupled with the fact they won the last meeting in Bloomington and hung around in East Lansing last year. Michigan State, however, had a week to refocus after the bye week. We expect the Spartans to play with more urgency now. Michigan State wins 34-24 and COVERS the spread.

Arkansas at No. 9 Auburn (-29.5)7:30 p.m., SEC Network Auburn is back home after a demoralizing loss to LSU, and this will be a test of focus for Jarrett Stidham and the offense. Arkansas is off to a 1-2 start under first-year coach Chad Morris but capitalize in the first half before reality sets in. Auburn wins 44-14 and COVERS the spread.

No. 7 Stanford (-2) at No. 20 Oregon8 p.m., ABC These Pac-12 rivals meet again, and it's the classic offense vs. defense matchup we've been used to for the last decade. Oregon averages 51.7 points per game, and the Cardinal lead the nation in scoring defense (7.7 ppg). The expected return of Bryce Love should help, too. Stanford wins 30-27 and COVERS the spread.

No. 18 Wisconsin (-3.5) at Iowa8:30 p.m., FOX Iowa has a chance to seize control of the Big Ten West in the always-electric environment at Kinnick Stadium. The defense has allowed just 8.0 points per game. Wisconsin, however, has won the last four in Iowa City and plays with a little more edge after the loss to BYU. Jonathan Taylor scores the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes. Wisconsin wins 24-17 and COVERS the spread.

Arizona State at No. 10 Washington (-17.5)10:30 p.m., ESPN Washington lost to the Sun Devils on the road last season, and the Huskies allow just 10.3 points per game. The Sun Devils have won 11 of the last 12 meetings dating back to 2002, but this won't be one of them. Washington wins 30-14 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.